Patch cutting apparatus



Dec. 16, 1941. J. WIMMER PATCH CUTTING APPARATUS` Filed Sept. 4, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 16, 1941. J, wlMMER 2,266,527

PATCH CUTT ING PPARATUS Filed Sept. 4, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 16, 1941. 1v1/IMMER 2,266,527

PATCH CUTTING APPARATUS k Filed Sept. 4, `1941 5 Shee'ts-Sheet 5 J0 of 7 Dec. 16, 1941. J. WIMMER PATCH CUTTING APPARATUS 4, 1941 5 Shee'cs--Sheekl 4 Filed Sepi.

/Jas //122 Dec. 16, 1941. L WHWWER` 2,266,527

PATCH CUTTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 4, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 f K* l f5 l 5 J7@ fl/ 1642 "163 operation.

Patentedy Dec. 16, 1941 y 42.266.527 rA'rcn comme ArrAaArUs John Wimmer, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Van Clccf Bros., Chicago, lll., a partnership consisting of Noah van Cleef, Paul Van Clecf, and Felix Van Clecf Appiication'September 4, 1941, Serial No. 409,467

17 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to cutting apparatus. More particularly the invention relates to that type of cutting apparatus which is expressly designed to cut circular beveledged tire patches from a composite strip consisting of an outer layer of vulcanized or cured rubber, an inner layer of uncured rubber, and a sheet of holland or like material on the bottom or outer face of the inner layer.

In a standard or conventional tire patch of the character under consideration the holland is truly circular and there is a sharp corner or feather edge formation between the holland and the uneured rubber inner layer. When Vit is desired to use the patch it is necessary to remove the holland so as to expose the bottom or outer face of the inner layer for patchvapplying purposes. Because of the sharp corner or feather edge formation in a standard or conventional patch it is extremely difficult to grip the holland and remove it from the inner layer.

One object of the present invention is to provide a cutting apparatus of the aforementioned type which operates to cut circular bevel-edged patches from a strip -of patch-forming material or stock in such manner that the holland pieces embody integral outwardly projecting tabs which facilitate handling of the patches and make it possible readily to strip the holland pieces from the uncured rubber inner layers of the patches.

Another object of the invention is to provide a patch cutting apparatus of the last mentioned character which comprises a, worktable for supporting the strip of patch forming material,

mechanism for feeding the strip intermittently or step by step across the table, mechanism including a rotary head above the table and an angularly disposed longitudinally slidable knife on the head, for initially cutting the strip while it is at rest on the worktable so that it has a truly circular tapered or bevel type cut in the outer and inner rubber layers and a discontinuous substantially circular cut in the holland sheet, and mechanism which acts on the strip after the preliminary cutting thereof bythe cutting mechanism and during the next rest period to cut the portion of the holland sheet that is adjacent the ends ofthe discontinuous cut so as to form the tab for the patch.

A further object of the invention .is to provide a patch cutting apparatus which is generally of new and improved construction and is so designed and constructed that it is extremely eilicient in A still further object of the invention is to provide a patch cutting apparatus which is an improvement upon, and has certain advantages over, that which forms the subject matter of United States Letters Patent No. 1.985.356, granted December 25, 19.34, to Paul Van Cleef of Chicago, Illinois.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present patch cutting apparatus will be apparent from a i"cmsideration of the following detailed descripon. A

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

`ing material after the knife on the rotary head v of the preliminary cutting mechanism.v has made a circular cut or incision through the outer and inner rubber layers thereof and a discontinuous substantially circular cut in the holland'sheet on the bottom or under face of the innerl layer:

Figure 5 is a bottom perspective view of the strip showing the sheet of holland after` it has been cut adjacent the ends of the discontinuous substantially circular cut vby the tab cutting mechanism inorder to form the .tab and complete the patch;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a complete tire patch, that is, a patch which has been cut by the present apparatus; A

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 1 and illustrating the rotary knife carrying head of the preliminary cutting mechanism in its operative or cutting position and thel various parts of the tab cutting mechanism of the apparatus in their operative or tab cutting position;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing in detail the manner in which the parts of the tab cutting mechanism operate to cut the holland sheet and form the tab after preliminary cutting of the strip by the cutting mechanism;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section showing the ejector plunger after it has been lowered so as to disconnect the cut tabequipped patch from the strip of patch-forming material;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the reciprocatory blade-equipped plunger which forms a part of the tab cutting mechanism of the apparatus;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the worktable illustrating in detail the construction and design of the discontinuous metallic die ring which coacts with the knife on the rotary head to form a circular or continuous cut in the outer and inner layers of the strip and a discontinuous cut in the holland sheet in connection with a cutting operation;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the hammer and other parts of the tab cutting mechanism of the apparatus;

Figure 13 is a horizontal section on the line I3--I3 of Figure 12; and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mechanism for feeding the knife of the preliminary cutting mechanism outwardly and downwardly into the strip in connection with cutting of the strip by the knife.

The cutting apparatus which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is designed to cut circular bevel-edged tire patches I5 from a composite strip I6 of patch forming material. The strip I6 comprises an outer layer I6* of vulcanized or cured rubber, an inner layer lib of uncured rubber, and a sheet I6 of holland or like material on the bottom or outer face of the inner layer. The inner layer I6b of uncured rubber is joined to the outer layer I6* of cured rubber by cohesion. The holland sheet I5 is adhesively connected to the bottom or outer face of the lower layer of the strip due to the tacklness of such layer. The patches I5 which are cut by the apparatus have sharp corners or feather edge formations between the holland pieces and the uncured rubber inner layers and are characterized by the fact that the yholland pieces are provided with outwardly extending tabs I1. In using the patches the holland pieces on the bottom or outer faces of the inner layers are first removed. Thereafter the uncured rubber layers of the patches are pressed against the portions of the tires or tubes which are to be repaired, as well understood in the art. The tabs I1 on the holland pieces of the patches I5 facilitate gripping of such pieces in connection with stripping thereof from the uncured rubber inner layers of the patches.

As hereinafter described more in detail, the improvedcutting apparatus operates automatically so to cut the patches'l5 from the strip I 8 of patch forming material that the holland pieces are provided with the tabs I1. In general the apparatus comprises a supporting structure I8 including a worktable I9; mechanism 20 for feeding the strip I6 of patch forming material step by step or intermittently across the worktable I9; mechanism 2I for initially cutting the strip while it is at rest on the worktable so that it has a truly circular bevel-type cut in the outer and inner rubber layers I6al and lib and a discontinuous substantially circular cut in the holland sheet I 6c; and mechanism 22 which acts on the strip after the preliminary cutting thereof by the cutting mechanism 2l and during the next rest period of the strip to cut the portion of the holland sheet that is adjacent the ends of l the discontinuous cut in order to form the tab I'I for the patch. It is contemplated that the apparatus shall be continuously operated so as to cut the desired tab equipped patches in rapid succession from the strip I9.

Supporting structure The supporting structure I8 of the cutting apparatus comprises in addition to the worktable I9, a base 23, a vertically extending standard 2l, and a pair of horizontally extending arms 25 and 29. The standard 24 is formed integrally with and projects upwardly from the central portion of the base 23. The worktable I9 extends horizontally and is located in front of the central portion of the standard 24. It is carried by a bracket 21 and is adapted to support the strip I8 of patch forming material and to have the latter drawn intermittently or step by step transversely thereacross by means of the mechanism 22. The bracket 21 is suitably secured to and projects forwardly from the central portion of the standard 24. The arm 25 is located directly above the worktable I9 and is suitably secured to the standard 24. 'I'he other arm, that is the arm. 26, is formed integrally with and projects forwardly from the upper end of said standard 2l and is positioned so that it is vertically aligned with, and overhangs, the arm 25.

Intermittent mechanism The intermediate feed mechanism 20 comprises a pair of horizontally extending fluted feed rolls 28 and 29 at one end of the worktable I9. The feed roll 28 is located directly beneath, and is arranged in parallel relation with, the feed roll 29 and is carried by way of a shaft 39 which extends longitudinally therethrough. The ends of the shaft 30 are journalled in a pair of bearing brackets 3|, and these are suitably connected to the adjacent end of the worktable I9. The feed roll 29 is supported by a shaft 32 and this shaft extends longitudinally through the feed roll 29 and has its ends joumalled in bearing blocks 33 which are slidable vertically in order that the feed roll 29 is free to move vertically to a limited extent to and from the feed roll 28. Compression springs 34 are associated with the bearing blocks 33 and serve to urge the feed roll 29 towards the feed roll 23. The two feed rolls are connected together for conjoint .rotation in opposite directions by means of a pair of gears 35 and 36 and these are intermittently driven as hereinafter described so as to cause the strip I5 to be fed step by step or intermittently across the worktable I9. As shown in Figure 7 the strip I6 of patch forming material ex- \tends between the two feed rolls and the latter extend transversely of the worktable I9. The gear 35 is fixed to the inner end of the shaft 3l for supporting the feed roll 28 and the gear 33 meshes with the gear 35 and is fixed to the inner end of the shaft 32 for supporting the upper feed roll 29.

The means for intermittently driving the feed rolls 28 and 29 comprises an electric motor 31 which is connected to drive a horizontally extending shaft 38 behind the central portion of the standard I9 of the supporting structure by way of a belt and pulley connection consisting of a pulley 39 on the armature shaft of the motor, a pulley 40 on the shaft 39, and an endless belt 4I around the two pulleys; a second belt and pulley connection consisting of a pulley I2 on the shaft 30, a pulley 43 beneath the pulley 42 and an endless belt 44 around the two pulleys 42 and 46; a pair of clutch members 46 and 46; a pinion 41; a gear 46 which meshes with and is driven by the pinion 41 and is mounted on a horizontally extending shaft 49; a gear 56 which is in mesh with 5 and is driven by the gear wheel 46 and is mount ed on a stub shaft 6I on the lower end of the standard 24 of the supporting structure I6; a link 62 which extends substantially vertically and has the lower end thereof pivotally connected to an eccentric stud 66 on the gear 56: a vertically extending rod 64 which is mounted to slide vertically in bearings 55 on the standard 24 and has its lower end connected to the upper end of the link 62; a horizontally extending arm 56 which is ilxed to and projects outwardly from the central portion of the rod 54 and has a longitudinally extending slot 51 in its outer end; an arm 56 which is loosely mounted on and projects radially from the inner end of the shaft 36 and is provided at its outer end with a horizontally extending pin 59 which projects into the longitudinally extending slot 51 in the outer end of the arm 66; v

and a pawl and ratchet connection consisting of a pivoted spring pressed pawl 66 on the inner end of the arm 56 and a ratchet 6I on the inner end of the shaft 66. The electric motor 31 is disposed behind the base 26 of the supporting structure I6, as shown in Figure 1. The shaft 66, that is the shaft which is driven by the electric motor 61 by the rst mentioned belt and pulley connection, is journalied in bearings 62 on the central portion of the standard 24 and has thelpulleys 46 and 42 fixedly connected thereto. The pulley 46 of the second mentioned belt and pulley connection is loosely mounted on a horizontally extending shaft 63 which extends transversely across the lower rear portion of the standard 24 and is journalled in suitable bearings on the standard. The clutch member 45 is secured to and driven by the pulley 43 and is shiftable axially on the shaft 63 into and out of interlocked re` lation with the clutch member 46. The latter is fixedly secured lto the shaft 63 and operates to eect drive of said shaft when the axially movable clutch member 45 is shifted into interlocked relation with it. The pinion 41 is fixedly connected to the shaft 63 with the result that it operates to drive the gear 46 in response to drive of the shaft 63. The clutch member 45 is shifted into interlocked relation with the clutch member 46 by way of a foot pedal 64 which is pivoted to a bracket 65 on the base 23 and is connected to one end of a cable 66. The latter extends over a sheave 61 and is anchored to a horizontal rod 66. The latter is suitably mounted for longitudinal sliding movement and is provided at one end thereof with a radially extending arm 69. The outer end of this arm abuts against the outer end of the hub of the pulley 43. When the foot pedal 64 is depressed the cable 66 is pulled in such manner that the rod 66 is shifted axially and operates through the medium of the arm 69 to slide the clutch member 45 into interlocked relation with the clutch member 46 and thus establish a driving connection between the pulley 46 and the pinion carrying shaft 63. A coil spring 16 extends around the inner end of the rod 66 and serves to shift the latter so as 'to disengage the clutch member 45 from the clutch member 46 upon release of the foot pedal 64. When current is supplied to the electric motor 31 and the foot pedal 64 is depressed so as to bring 'the two clutch members into interlocked relation, the rod 54 is caused through the medium of the link 52 to slide up and down. On the upstroke of the rod, the arm 66 which is nxedto the central portion of the'rod 64 operates through the medium of the pin 59 to swing or rock upwards the arm 6l. On the downstroke of the rod 64 the arm 56 serves to swing or rock downwards the arm A66. The pawl 66 of the ratchet connection between the arm 66 and the shaft I6 for supporting the lower feed roll 26 is so arranged that on downward rocking of the arm 66 it meshes with the ratchet 6I and thus serves to rotate the shaft 26. It is further so arranged that during upward rocking or swinging movement of the arm 56 it rides loosely over the teeth of the ratchet 6I. Due to the fact that the two feed rolls are geared together by the gears 66 and 96 they are con- `jointly driven in reverse directions in connection with rocking of the arm 66. When the foot pedal 64 is released and the clutch members 45 and 46 are out of interlocked relation, the feed rolls 26 and 26 remain idle, whereas when the v foot pedal is depressed. so as to effect interlocking of the two clutch members, the two feed rolls are conjointly and reversely driven in an intermittent manner. During drive of the two feed rolls the composite strip l1 of patch forming material its; fed step by step transversely across the workble I6.

Patch cutting mechanism 'I'he mechanism 2l serves to cut the strip I6 so as to form the patches I5 with the exception of the tabs I1. It operates automatically in connection with operation ofthe apparatus as a whole and consists of a head 1I, a vertically exextending head driving spindle 12, a knife 16, and a collar 14. The head 1I is located directly above the end of the worktabie I9 that is remote from the feed rolls 26 and 29, and overlies a die ring 15. The latter is mounted in a circular recess 16 in the upper portion of the worktable and is of such heightvthat the top face thereof is flush with the top face of the Worktable. Said die ring is so located that the strip I6 of patch forming material is drawn across it in connection with intermittent or step by step feed thereof by the feed rolls 26 and 26. The head 1I of the mechanism 2| is fixed to the lower end of the spindle 12 and is adapted to rotate with such spindle and to move vertically with the latter to and from the strip I6. It carries the knife 13, as shown in Figure 7, and has a disk 11 at its lower end. This disk is pivotally connected to the head and is adapted to engage the strip and hold the latter in place when the head is lowered into its Apatch cutting position. The spindle 12 is located in front of the standard 24 of the supporting structure I6 and has a sleeve 16 xed to its central portion. The upper end of the spindle is journaied Ain a bearing 16 at the outer end of the arm 26. The sleeve 16 on the central portion of the spindle is journaled in a bearing 66 at the outer end of the horizontally. extending arm 25. The lower end of the spindle is joumaled in a bearing 6I which is secured to the lower'end of a vertically extending plate 62. The upper end of this plate is bolted or otherwisefsecured to the outer or front'portion of the bearing 66. The spindle is not only rotatably mounted by the bearings 16, 66. and 6I but is also vertically slidable in such bearings. 'Driving of the spindle is effected by way of a pulley 66 on the shaft 36, a pulley 64 around the upper end of the spindle and an endless belt 65. The pulley 63 is xed to the shaft 66 so that it is driven thereby in conhorizontally extending shaft 80.

nection with operation or drive of the electric motor 31. The pulley 84 is connected by vertical splines (not shown) to the spindle so that it operates to drive the spindle while at the same time it permits the latter to slide vertically, It rests loosely on the bearing 18 at the outer end of the arm 28 and is forced downwards against the bearing by a coil spring 86. The latter surrounds the upper end of the spindle and abuts against a collar at the upper extremity of said spindle. The endless belt 85 ext-ends around the pulley 83 on the shaft 38 and the pulley 84 around the upper end of the spindle 12. A pair of idler pulleys 81 and 88 take up the slack in the belt 85. The pulley 81 is applied to the central portion of one of the reaches of the belt and is carried by a bracket 89 which is adjustably mounted on a 'I'he latter is connected to and projects rearwardly from the upper end of the supporting structure I8. The idler pulley 88 is applied to the central portion of the other reach of the belt 85 and is carried by a bracket 8| on the extreme outer end of the shaft 90. rDuring operation of the electric motor 31 the shaft 38 is driven as previously pointed out through the medium of the pulleys 38 and 40 and the endless belt 4I and it in turn operates through the medium of the pulleys 83 and 84 and the endless belt 85 to drive the spindle 12.

The spindle 12 is adapted to be raised and lowered automatically in order to bring the knife carrying head 1| out of and into its cutting position with respect to the composite strip I8 of patch forming material by way of mechanism comprising a cam wheel 92 which is xedly secured to one end of theshaft 48 and embodies a circular eccentrically positioned cam groove (not shown) a vertically extending link 83 which is provided at its lower end with aroller 84 and is arranged so that the roller is disposed in the cam groove in the cam wheel 82; and a rocker lever 85 which is centrally fulcrumed on a pin 98 and is actuated by the link 93. 'I'he rocker lever 85 is located at one side of the standard 24 of the supporting structure I8 and has its rear end pivotally connected to the upper end of the link 83. The front end of the lever is provided with a fork 91 and this straddles a pin 88 on a plate 88. The latter fits against one side of the bearing 80 at the outer end of the arm 25 and is adapted to slide vertically in connection with rocking of the arm 85. The upper end of the plate 89 is provided with a collar |00 which fits between the upper end of the sleeve 18 on the central portion of the spindle 12 and a collar IOI. The latter is spaced above the sleeve 18 and is fixedly secured to the spindle. When the clutch members 45 and 48 are in interlocked relation in connection with the operation of the apparatus, the shaft 49 is driven and operates through the medium of the cam wheel 92 and the link 93 to rock the lever 85. When the lever is rocked in one direction the spindle is raised due to upward sliding movement of the plate 88 and the collar and in connection with reverse rocking of the lever 85 the spindle 12 is caused to slide.

downwards. The cam wheel 82 is so arranged that the spindle 12 is shifted or slid downwards in order to bring the head 1| into contact with the strip I8 when the strip is at rest on the worktable I8 and is also arranged so as to cause the spindle and head to slide or move upwards during feed of the strip.

The knife 13 is positioned at approximately a 45 angle with respect to the horizontal and embodies a blade |02 at its lower end. It is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement in a slideway |03 in the cutting head 1I as best shown in Figure 7. The slideway permits the knife to be slid or shifted downwards and outwards for the purpose of effecting insertion of the blade |02 in the composite strip I8 of patch forming matcrial. Sliding movement of the knife with respect to the slideway is restricted by way of a pin |04 which extends transversely across the slideway and fits in a longitudinally extending slot |05 in the knife. A compression spring |08 extends between the pin and the upper end of the knife and serves to retract the knife after a patch cutting operation.

The collar 14 of the patch cutting mechanism 2| extends around the upper end of the knife carrying head 1I and is connected to the latter by way of vertically extending splines |01. Such splines connect the collar for rotation with the head while at the same time they permit the collar to slide vertically relatively to the head. As shown in Figure 7, the collar 14 has an annular groove |08 in the central portion thereof and embodies at its lower end a depending circular flange |08. The inner face of this flange is frusto-conlcal and is adapted to engage the upper exposed end of the knife 13 (see Figure 9). When the collar 14 is moved or slid downwards relatively to the head 1| the flange |08 urges the knife downwards and outwards and causes the blade |02 on the lower end of the knife to penetrate the strip I6 of patch forming material. Since the head 1| rotates the blade is caused to swing in a circular course and thus effects cutting of the strip. The downward action of the collar causes progressive feed of the knife into the strip I8 and in. this manner the strip is cut in the desired fashion. The die ring 15 is located directly beneath the blade |02 and embodies in the upper face thereof an annular cutting groove IIO. It also embodies a cutout I II for a pad I2 of resilient material such for example as rubber. The upper face of this pad ||2 is coplanar with the upper'or top face of the die ring 15. During a cutting operation the blade |02 travels in a circular course and moves downwards and outwards as hereinbefore described. As the blade progressively penetrates the layers IIia and I 6b of the strip and swings in a circular course it results in a truly circular tapered or bevel-type cut I|3 in such layers (see Figure 4). When the blade is urged further downwards and outwards in connection with a cutting operation it moves into the cutting groove IIO in the die ring 15 and forms a discontinuous circular cut I|4 in the holland sheet IGC. The cut |I4 is discontinuous for the reason that when the blade |02 traverses the resilient pad |I2 in the die ring cutoutI III the holland sheet is depressed without being cut. However when the blade traverses the cuttingA groove I I0 in the die ring the holland sheety due to the supporting action of the ring is cut by the blade. The ring 15 is formed of metal' or any other suitable rigid material. The apparatus is so designed that when the strip I8 of patch forming material is at rest on the worktable I8 the head 1| is moved downwards into its cutting position. Thereafter the collar 14 is moved or shifted downwards so as to cause the knife 13 to move downwards. During downward movement of the knife the blade |02 in connection with rotation of the head forms the truly circular tapered or bevel-type cut I I3 in the outer and inner layers I6 and I8b of the strip I6 and the discontinuous substantially circular cut I |4 in the holland sheet |3. The apparatus is further designed so that at the nclusion of cutting of the strip by the blade |02 the collar |04 moves upwards` automatically. During upward movement of the collar the spring retracts the knife 13. After retraction of the knife by the spring the head 1| moves upwardsso as to release the strip I3 for further feed by the rolls 29 and 29 of the lintermittent feed mechanism 20.

The collar 14 is automatically shifted vertically relatively to the head 1| by mechanism consisting of a gear |I5 which meshes with and is driven by a gear III* on the shaft 49 and is xed to a horizontally extending shaft I I9 behind the lower end of the standard 24 of the supporting structure 2|; a cam wheel ||1 which is rlxedly connected to the shaft IIB and embodies a circular eccentrically positioned cam groove (not shown) a substantially vertical link I I3 which is provided at its lower end with a roller ||9 and is arranged so that the roller is disposed in the cam groove in the cam wheel ||1; and a rocker lever |20 which is centrally fulcrumed on a pin I2| and is actuated by the link IIB. The lever |20 is located at one side of the standard 24. The rear end of the lever is pivotally connected to the upper end of the link H8; The front end of the rocker lever |20 is provided with fork |22 and this surrounds the collar and embodies a pair of opposed rollers |23. The rollers t within the annular groove |08 in the central portion of the collar 14 and serve to shift the collar'vertically m response to rocking of the lever |20. The shaft IIB to which the gear ||5 and the cam wheel I|1 are fixed is journaed in bearings |24 on the lowerV end of the standard 24. The mechanism for shifting the collar 14 vertically relatively to the knife carrying head 1| is so de signed and constructed that it operates to shift the collar 14 downwards after downward shift of the head 1| into its cutting position and also to shift the collar 14 upwards directly before upward shift of the cutting head by the means or mechanism consisting of the cam wheel 92X, the link 93 and the rocker lever 95.

Associated with the patch cutting mechanism 2| is a presser plate |25. This presser plate over- Ilies the die ring equipped portion of the worktable I9 and has a circular part I 28 which surrounds the disk 11 at the lower end of the knife carrying head 1|. It also has an upstanding arm |21, the upper end of which is connected to the plate 99 by bolt and slot connections |29. When the head 1| is lowered or shifted downwards into its strip cutting position the presser plate |25 is caused to move into engagement with the strip. 0n the yupstroke of the head 1| after a strip operation the presser plate |25 is caused to move upwards so as to release the strip I6 for feed by the intermittent feed mechanism 20.

Tab cutting mechanism The mechanism 22 serves to cut the tab I1 on each patch that is cut in a preliminary manner or fashion4 by the mechanism 2| and in addition to eject the completed patch from the strip I3 of patch forming'material. Itis located between the cutting mechanism 2| and the feed rolls 20 and 29 and operates on the strip I6 when the latter is at rest on the worktable I9. As its main or principal parts the tab cutting mechanism 22 comprises a blade-equipped plunger |29, an vejector` plunger |30, and a hammer I3 I. The plunger |29 extends vertically and is mounted for vertical sliding movement in a bearing |32. The latter is carried by a bracket |33 which is bolted or otherwise iixedly secured to the bottom face of the worktable I3. 'I'he upper end of the plunger |29 i'lts within a hole |34 in the worktable during upstroke of the plunger. It has a ilat circular upper end face and includes at its upper extremity a laterally extending tab cutting blade |35. 'I'he latter -projects in the same direction as, and is aligned with', the resilient pad ||2 in the cutout of the die ring 15 and is adapted when the plunger |23 is at the end of its upstroke to project slightly above the top face of the worktable |9, as shown in Figure 8. A ring |33 overlies the hole |34 in the worktable I9 and serves as a bearing for the upper end of the bladeequipped plunger |29. This ring fits within a circular recess |31 in the upper portion of the worktable and has a groove |33 for accommodating the blade |35. The worktable I9 is provided with a groove |39 which is aligned with the' groove |38 in the ring |39 and serves to accommcdate the blade |35 during the downstroke of the plunger |29. While the strip. I5 is at rest on the worktable the plunger |29 is caused, as hereinafter described, to move upwards so as to bring the blade |35 above the upper face of the worktable and into contact with the portion of the holland sheet |6 which is adjacent the .ends of the discontinuous cut I|4. Whenthe plunger |29 is at the end of vits upstroke the hammer |3| is adapted, as described hereafter,to vsnap downwards against the strip I6 and cause the blade |35 to penetrate the holland sheet |6 and thus form the tab I1. After the downstroke of the hammer |3| and resultant cutting of the tab I1, the bladel equipped plunger |29 moves downwards so as topermit the fully or completely cut patch to be ejected from the strip I6 by the ejector plunger |30. The plunger |29 is reciprocated or slid up and down by mechanism consisting of a cam |40 which is xed `to a horizontally extending shaft I4| in front of the lower portion of the standard 24 of the supporting structure I9; and a link |42 which extends vertically and has the upper end thereof pivotally connected to the lower end of the plunger y|29 and its other endprovided with a roller 43 in contact with the periphery of the cam |40. 'Ihe shaft |4| is journaled in a pair of bearing brackets |44 on the lower end of the standard 24 and is driven from the shaft 49 of the intermittent feed mechanism 20 by way of a chain and sprocket connection comprising a sprocket |45 on the shaft 49, a sprocket |45 on the shaft |4| and an endless chain |41 around the, two pulleys. When the apparatus is in operation, that is when current is supplied to the electric motor 33 and the foot pedal 64 is depressed so as to bring the clutchvmembers 45 and 49 into interlocked relation, the last mentioned belt and pulley connection operates to drive the shaft |4| from the shaft 49 and the shaft |4I operates to turn to drive the cam |40. During rotation of the cam |40 the link |42 is caused tomove up and down due to the action of the roller |43 on the periphery of the cam |49 and effects the desired reciprocation or vertical sliding movement of the blade-equipped plunger |29. 'I'he cam |40 is so designed that it operates while the strip I5 of patch forming material is at rest on the worktable I9 to slide the plunger |29 upwards intoits operative or tab cuttingaposition and then to slide the plunger down war s.

The ejector plunger |30 is disposed over the worktable ||9 and is in vertical alignment with the blade-equipped plunger 29. It is slidable up and down in a vertical elongated bearing |48 Awhich is carried by a bracket |49 on the central portion of the standard 24. For the purpose of reciprocating or sliding up and down the ejector plunger |30 the apparatus includes mechanism consisting of a cam |50 which is iixedly secured to the shaft |4| a rocker lever |5| which is centrally fulcrumed by way of a pin |52 and has at the front end thereof a roller |53 in contact with the periphery of the cam |50; a link |54 which extends vertically and has the lower end thereof pivotally connected to the other or rear end of the rocker lever and a substantially horizontal lever |55 which is located at one side of, and extends transversely across the standard 24 and has its rear end pivotally connected to a bracket |56 on one of the bearings 62 and its central portion pivotally connected to the upper end of the link |54. The front end of the lever |55 is provided with a fork |51 and this straddles a pin |58 which is carried by a laterally extending lug |59 on the central portion of the ejector plunger |30. The lug, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, extends through a vertically extending slot |60 in the lower end of the bearing |48. When the cam |50 is driven it operates through the medium of the roller |5| to rock the lever |53l and the lever in turn serves to reciprocate vertically the link |54. In response to reciprocation of the link |54 the lever |55 swings up and down and effects reciprocation of the ejector plunger |30. The cam |50 is so arranged that the plunger |30 is caused to move into contact with the upper face of the composite strip |1 when the bladeequipped plunger |29 is at the end of its upstroke. As a result of this arrangement the partially cut patch over the plunger |29 is firmly clamped prior to actuation of the hammer |3|. The cam |50 is also arranged so that during the downstroke of the blade-equipped plunger |29 the ejector plunger |30 is caused to move downwards through the ring |36 and the hole |34 in order to effect disconnection or ejection of the cut patch from the strip. The cam |40 is so arranged that the downstroke of the blade-equipped plunger |29 is faster than the downstroke of the ejector plunger and hence the cut patchduring the downstrokes of the two plungers is released for discharge into a discharge chute |6|.

The hammer |3| of the tab cutting mechanism 22 is located adjacent the lower end of the ejector plunger |30 and is shaped to t therearound. It overlies the blade |35 on the upper end of the plunger |29 and has an upwardly extending arm |62. The latter fits slidably against the lower end of the bearing |48 for the ejector plunger and is connected to such bearing by bolt and slot connections |63. Said connections permit the arm and hammer to slide vertically to and from the blade |35. A tension spring |64 serves to urge the hammer |32 downwardsv towards the blade |35. The upper end of this spring is anchored to a pin |65 on the upper end of the arm |62. 'I'he lower end of the spring is anchored to a. pin |66 on a plate |61. 'I'he latter is disposed adjacent the outer face of the arm |62 and is xedly connected to the lower end of the bearing |48 by way of bolts |68. The latter extend through slots |69 in the central portion of the arm |62. Said slots |69 are vertically elongated and permit the armA and hammer to move vertically relatively to the bearing. The upper end of the arm |62 is provided with a laterally extending finger |10. This linger, as shown in Figure 12, overlies the pin carrying lug |59 on the ejector plunger |30. On the upstroke of the ejector plunger the lug |59 engages the nger |10 and raises the arm |62 and the hammer 3| against the force of the tension spring |64. The hammer is controlled by means of an L-shaped latch 1|. This latch is plvotally connected to the front central portion of the bearing |48 and embodies a, depending arm |12 and a substantially horizontal arm |13. 'I'he depending arm |12 is provided at its lower end with a hook |14 and this hook is adapted when the latch |1| is turned or rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 7 to be brought into hooked relation with a pin |15 on the upper end of the arm |62. The latch |1| serves temporarily to hold the hammer |3| in its raised position during the initial part of the downstroke of the ejector plunger |30 toward the blade-equipped plunger |29. A tension spring |16 serves to urge the latch into hooked or locked relation with the pin |15. One end of this spring |16 is anchored to a pin on the upper end of the bearing |48 and the other end of the spring is anchored to the distal end of the arm |13, The latch is released by means of a vertically extending rod |11. A 'I'he upper end of this rod is connected to the upper end of the ejector plunger |30 by way of an arm |18. The lower. end of the rod |11 overlies the outer or distal end of the latch arm |13. During initial downward movement of the ejector plunger `|30 the rod comes in contact with the arm |13. During further downward movement of the ejector plunger the rod swings the latch |1| in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in i Figure '7 and results in disengagement of the hook |14 from the pin |15. Upon release of the pin the tension spring |64 snaps the hammer |3| downwards against the strip I6. As soon as the hammer strikes or is impacted against the strip the blade |35 on the plunger |29 penetrates through the holland sheet I6c and thus effects cutting of the tab |1 on the adjacent patch. After cutting of the tab the hammer |3| remains stationary while the ejector plunger |30 moves further downwards and effects disconnection of the cut patch from the strip I6. On the upstroke of the ejector plunger the hammer |3| moves upwards as soon as the lug |59 strikes the finger |10. In addition the rod |11 moves upwards with the plunger and permits the spring |16 to swing the latch |1| into hooked relation with the pin |15. As soon as the hook |14 is in hooked relation with the pin the hammer is held against downward movement. While the hammer and ejector plunger are in their raised positions the strip I6 of patch forming material is fed by the feed mechanism 20. The feed mechanism 20 is so designed that when the ejector plunger |30 and the hammer 3| are in their raised position the strip I6 is fed the correct distance to bring the partially cut patch, that is the patch that has been previously cut by the blade |02 of the knife 13, over the blade equipped plunger |29.

Operation When it is desired to use the apparatus, the electric motor 31 is started andthe foot pedal 64 is depressed so as to bring the clutch members 45 and 46 into interlocked relation. As soon as the foot pedal is depressed the shafts 49, 5|, ||6 and |4| start to rotate and the feed mechanism 20, the patch cutting mechanism 2|,

` the worktable I9. When the strip comes to rest the knife carrying head 1| is moved downward into contact with the strip by the action of the cam wheel 92, the link 93 and the rocker lever 95. After downward'shift of the head 'Il the collar 14 of the mechanism 20 is shifted downwards as the result of thev action of the cam wheel ||1, the link ||8, and the rocker lever |20. During downward shift of the collar 'I4 the knife 13 is urged downwards and outwards and causes the blade |02 to form the truly circular tapered or bevel-type cut ||3 in the outer and inner rubber layers I6a and lsb and the discontinuous substantially circular cut IH in the holland sheet |6 of the strip IB. At the same time the blade |02 of the knife 13 is operating on the strip I6 the blade equipped plunger |29, the ejector plunger 30 and the hammer |3| operate on the previously cut patch so as to form the tab l1 on such patch. As heretofore pointed out when the strip i6 is at rest the blade equipped plunger |29 moves into engagement With the holland sheet I6c of the strip I6 and the ejector plunger 30 moves downwards. During the initial part of the downstroke of the ejector plunger the latch |1| is released by the action of the rod |10 and the hammer l3| snaps downwards and causes the blade |35 on the plunger |39 to penetrate the holland sheet'and effect cutting of the tab I1. After cuttingof the tab the hammer |3| remains stationary and the ejector plunger |30 and the blade-equipped plunger |29 move downwards at different speeds. During the latter part of the down stroke of the ejector plunger the completely formed patch is disconnected from the strip I6 and is directed into the discharge chute |6| by way of an air blast or any other suitable `means (not shown). During the upstrokes of the knife carrying head 1|, the ejector plunger |30, and the hammer |3I, the strip I6 is fed by the rolls 28 and 29 a sufiicient distance so as to bring the patch that is partially cut by the blade |02 over the upper end of the plunger |29. y

The herein described apparatus is designed to be operated continuously and serves effectively and efficiently to cut tab equipped patches in rapid succession. By reason of the fact that the patches which are cut by the apparatus embody the tabs I1 on the holland pieces such pieces may be. readily removed in connection with use of the patches. The apparatus is entirely automatic when in opera-tion and emciently fulfills its intendedr purpose.

Whereas the apparatus has been defined as being expressly or primarily adapted for use in cutting tire patches from a composite strip consisting of an outer layer of vulcanized or cured rubber, an inner layer of uncured rubber, and a sheet of holland or like material, it is to be understood that it also may be used to cut oth'er kinds or types of circular tab equipped beveledged articles.

It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth since these may be' modified within the scope `of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I l. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a table adapted to support thereabove a strip with a thin backing sheet on the under face thereof, a knife supported above the table so that it is bodily rotatable in a circular course and also movable to and from the table, means for rotating the knife, means for moving the knife during rotation thereof towards the table so that it penetrates .and cuts the strip and sheet, and means for causing the knife during penetration in the sheet to form but a discontinuous out.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a table adapted to support thereabove a strip with a thin backing sheet on the underface thereof, and mechanism for forming a'truly circular cut in the strip andan aligned discontinuous substantially circular cut in the sheet, comprising a knife supported above the table so that it is bodily rotatable in a circular course and also movable t0 and from the table, means forrotating the knife, means for feeding the knife during rotation thereof toward the table for strip and sheet cutting purposes, and a rigid strip supporting die on the table directly beneath the knife adapted when the knife is moved in proximity thereto after cutting of the strip to coact with the knife to effect cutting of the sheet and embodying beneath the course of travel of the knife a cutout whereby the cut in the sheet is rendered discontinuous.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a table adapted to support thereabove a strip with a thin backing sheet on the underface thereof, and mechanism for forming a truly circular cut in the strip and an aligned discontinuous substantially circular cut in the sheet, comprising a knife supported above the table so that it is bodily rotatable in a circular course and also movable to and from the table, means for rotating the knife, means for feeding the knife during rotation thereof toward the taclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Y ble for strip and sheet cutting purposes, and a rigid strip supporting die on the table directly beneath the knife adapted when the knife is moved in proximity thereto after cutting of the strip to coact with the knife to eifect cutting of the lsheet and embodying beneath the course of travel of the knife a cutout with a resilient pad therein whereby the cut in the sheet is rendered discontinuous.

l 4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination qf a table adapted Ito support thereabove a strip with a thin backing sheet on th'e underface thereof, and mechanism for forming a truly circular cut in the strip and an aligned discontinuous substantially circular cut in the sheet, comprising a knife supported above the table so that it is bodily rotatable in a circular course and also movable to and from the table, means for rotating the knife, means for feeding the knife during rotation thereof toward the table for strip and sheet cutting purposes, and a rigid strip supporting die on the table directly beneath the knife having an arcuate cutting groove therein adapted to receive the knife after it has cut th'e strip and to coact therewith to effect cutting of the sheet, and also having a cutout therein across the groove whereby the cut in the sheet is rendered discontinuous.

5. In a cutting apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of a table adapted to support thereabove a strip with a thin backing sheet on the underface thereof, mechanism associated with the table for forming a'continuous cutl through the strip and an aligned discontinuous cut through the sheet, and mechanism operating in synchronism with the iirst mentioned mechanism and also associated with the table for cutting the portion of the sheet adjacent and outwards of the ends of the discontinuous cut so as to form a tab on the portion of the sheet within said discontinuous cut.

6. In a cutting apparatus of thecharacter described, the combination of a table adapted to support thereabove a strip with a thin backing sheet on the underface thereof, mechanism associated with the table for forming a truly circular cut in the strip and an aligned discontinuous substantially circular cut in the sheet, and mechanism also associated with the table for cutting the portion of the sheet adjacent and outwards of the ends of the discontinuous cut so as to form a tab on the portion of the sheet within said discontinuous cut.

7. In a cutting apparatus of the character described, th'e combination of a table adapted to,

support thereabove a strip with a thin backing sheet on the underface thereof, power driven mechanim associated with the table for forming n a truly circular downwardly ared bevel-type cut in the strip and an aligned discontinuous substantially circular cut in the sheet, and power driven mechanism also associated with the table for cutting the portion of the sheet adjacent and outwards of the ends of the discontinuous cut so as to form a tab on the portion of the sheet within said discontinuous cut.

8. In a cutting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a table, mechanism for intermittently feeding across the top face of said table a strip with a thin backing sheet on the underside thereof, power driven mechanism associated with the table and operative automatically during one of the intervals when the strip and sheet are at rest on the table to form a truly circular cut in the strip and an aligned discontinuous substantially circular cut in the sheet, and power driven mechanism also associated with the table and operative automatically during another rest period to cut the portion of the sheet adjacent and outwards of the ends of the discontinuous cut so as to form a tab on the portion of the sheet within said discontinuous cut.

9. In a cutting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a table, a power source associated witlr the table, mechanism actuated by said source for feeding across the table a flexible strip with a thin backing sheet adhesively secured to. the under face thereof, mechanism actuated by said power source and operative automatically during one of the intervals when the strip and sheet are at rest on the table to form a truly circular downwardly flared bevel-type cut in the strip and an aligned discontinuous substantially circular cut in the sheet, and mechanism also actuated by said power source and operative automatically during another rest period of said strip and sheet to cut the portion of the sheet adjacent and outwards of the ends of the discontinuous cut. so as to form a tab on the portion of the sheet within said discontinuous cut.

10. In a cutting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a table having a vertical hole therethrough, mechanism for feeding a strip with a thin backing sheet on the under face thereof step by step across the table and over the hole, mechanism associated with the table and .ahead of the hole operative automatically during one of the intervals when the strip and sheet are at rest on the table to form a continuous cut in the strip and an aligned discontinuous cut in the sheet, and mechanism including a tab shaped blade in the hole and operative automatically during a subsequent rest period to cut the portion of the sheet adjacent and outwards of the ends of the discontinuous cut so as to form a tab on the portion of the sheet within said discontinuous cut.

11. In a cutting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a table having a vertical. hole therethrough, mechanism for feeding a strip with a thin backing sheet on the under face thereof step by step across the table and over the hole, mechanism associated with the table and ahead of the hole operative automatically during one of the intervals when the strip and sheet are at rest on the table to form a continuous cut in the strip and an aligned discontinuous cut in the sheet, and mechanism operative automatically during another rest periodto cut the portion of the sheet adjacent and outwards of the ends of the discontinuous cut so as to form a tab on the portion of the sheet within said discontinuous cut and comprising a tab shaped blade in the hole and a vertically movable hammer above the table and over the blade.

12. In a cutting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a table having a vertical hole therein, power driven mechanism for feeding a strip with a thin backing sheet on the under face thereof step by step across the table and over the hole, power driven mechanism associated withrthe table and ahead of the hole operative automatically during one of the intervals when the strip and sheet are at rest on the table to form a continuous cut in the strip and an aligned discontinuous cut in the sheet, power driven mechanism operative automatically during another rest period to cut the portion of the sheet adjacent ,and outwards of the ends of the discontinuous cut so as to form a tab on the portion of the sheet within said discontinuous cut and comprising a vertically slidable plunger beneath the table and in alignment with the hole having a tab cutting blade at its upper end and adapted on the upstroke thereof to enter the hole and to bring the blade into cutting relation with the sheet, and a power actuated vertically reciprocatory ejector plunger positioned over the table and in alignment with the hole and adapted during the down stroke of the blade equipped plunger to move downwards into the hole and punch out the cut portions of the strip and sheet.

13. In a cutting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a table having a vertical hole therein, power driven mechanism for feeding a flexible strip with a thin backing sheet on the under face thereof step by step across the table and over the hole, power driven mechanism associated with the table and ahead of the hole operative automatically during one of the intervals when the strip and sheet are lat rest on the table to form a truly circular downwardly flared bevel-type cut through the strip and an aligned discontinuous substantially circular cut in the sheet, mechanism operative automatically during another rest period or interval to cut the portion of the sheet adjacent and outwards of the ends of the discontinuous cut so as to form a -tab on the portion of the sheet within said discontinuous cut and com,

prising a vertically slidable plunger beneath the table and in alignmentv with the hole having a tab cutting blade at the upper end thereof and adapted on the upstroke thereof to enter the hole and bring the blade into cutting relation with the sheet and a power actuated vertically slidable ejector plunger disposed over the table and in alignment with the hole and controlled so that on the downstroke thereof it iirst moves into clamped relation with the st'rip while the blade equipped plunger is in its up position and then. follows the last mentioned plunger downwards into the hole and serves to punch out the cut portions of the strip and sheet.

i4. In a cutting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a table having a vertical hole therethrough, power driven mechanism for feeding a strip with a thin backing sheet on the under face thereof step by step across the table and overthe hole, power driven mechanism associated with the table and ahead of the hole, operative automatically during one of the intervals when the strip and sheet are at rest on the table to form a. continuous cut in the strip and an aligned discontinuous cut in the sheet, power driven mechanism operative automatically during another rest period to cut the portion of the sheet adjacent and outwards of the ends of the discontinuousvcut so as to form a tab on the portion of the sheet within said di...ontinuous cut and comprising a vertically slidable plunger beneath the table and in alignment with the hole having a tab cutting blade on the upper end thereof and adapted on the upstroke to enter the hole and bring the blade into cutting relation with the sheet and also comprising a vertically movable hammer disposed over the table and above the hole and adapted when the blade is in its operative position to move downwards against the strip and cause the blade to penetrate the sheet, and a power actuated vertically slidable ejector plunger. over the table and in alignment with the hole, adapted -through the layer and an aligned discontinuous cut in the backing sheet and cutting the portion of the sheet adjacent and outwards of the ends of the discontinuous cut to form a tab on the portion of the sheet within said discontinuous cut.

16. That improvement inthe manufacture of a patch or like article from a composite strip inthe form of a layer of patch forming material and a thin backing sheet adhesively secured to one face of the layer which comprises making a circular cut through the layer and an aligned discontinuous substantially circular cut in the backing sheet, and then cutting the portion of the sheet that is adjacent and outwards of the ends ofthe discontinuous cut so as to form av tab on the portion of the sheet within said discontinuous cut. t

17. That improvement in the manufacture of a patch or like article from a composite strip in the form of a layer of patch forming -material and a thin backing sheet adhesively secured to the under face'of the layer which comprises forming a continuous downwardly flared cut through the layer and an aligned discontinuous cut through the backing sheet, then cutting the portion of the backing sheet adjacent and outwards o! the ends of the discontinuous cut so as to form a tab on the portion of the sheet within said discontinuous cut, and then removing from the strip the cut portions of the layer and sheet.

JOHN 

